OPERA HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1754, 20 May 1913, Page 8

OPERA HOUSE.

NEW VAUDEVILLE COMPANY. To an audience which nearly filled every seat in tho Opera House, Air. V. 11. Beebe's new vaudeville company commenced a nine nights' season last evening, and judging by tho manner in which tho entertainment was received, there can be 110 doubt that the perforniaiico came up to expectations. Whilst thero cannot bo said to be any outstandingly, brilliant stars to dazzle one's understanding, the company presents talent which may be classed as "good average,"and as its members are nil brisk wowsers, and lose 110 time between 8 p.m. and 10.80 p.m. in displaying tlrt! contents of their vaudeville pack, the show moves along brightly, to the gratifying accompaniment of much laughter and applause. In a manner, Mr. Beebo is a revivalist, as ho introduces the old-time minstrel first part, which ten years ago was tho accepted form in such entertainments, but which of lato has been neglected. It was with 110 little pleasure that the audienco heard onco more the jokos, ancient and modern, of tho black-faced wieklers of tho bones and tambo, and listened to tho catchy, ragtime ditties that have' caught the oars of half tho world. In Mr. Wal. Hockley the company has a fine, breezy type of cornerman, with plenty of smart gags, a serviceable voice, for the class of songs he sings, and a pair of prehensile feet which the band cannot lose. He scored ill "Tho Voodoo Man" and other melodious "rags," and, with Miss Lillic Rockloy, presented a burlesque sketch, which provoked hearty laughter. Mr. Will White is also serviceable on the corner, and raises a voico of Rood quality in "Caroline." This performer made his hit in a clever cccentric dance ? only possible to an artist of elastic physique. F lo pleaso delighted audience ho danced again and again, and still. like Oliver Twist, they wanted more. Miss Ella Conrad has a small but tuneful soprano voice, which was bean to advantage in the pretty ballad, "I Know 1 Yallev." which was emphatically encored. "The eonbrette of the combination is Hiss Lily Hockley, who piped "Good night, Mr. Moon," prettily enough, and rattled her feet rythmically when tho occasion demanded. Miss Rubee Raymond sang cheerfully of tho euccts of "Tho Seaside Air," and gavo a dainty exposition of tip-too dancing. In the second part she manipulated the voluminous folds of hqr silken -gown in tho changing lights in a serpentine dance, a la Loie Fuller. Messrs. George Spilker and Wm. Fairbatik also contributed to the harmony of tho first part. Miss Ruby Cox, a contralto rather uneven in quality, sang Frances Allitzen's fine song, "There's a Land," and was associated with Miss Conrad in a duet.

Among the specialty artists ICeilderson ranked high, 110 is a protean artist, who presents a series of characters of celebrities, such r"? Bismarck, Napoleon, Sir Redvers Bullet-, lord Roberts, Gladstono (tho most faithful), and Kruger with lightning rapidity, making up before the audience. As evidence of his versatility he gave a very clever character sketcli of an old itinerant grinder at work on a pair of cheap scissors, and also gave a brief vontriloquial entertainment. Mr. George Walton was moderately successful in his comedy tuiHis, and lightning sketches. The Artcens (John and Edie) are a couple of clever acrobats, who work well together in somo lorigannl acts. Littlo Edie, who is still in her teens, is a particularly graceful and agile performer. Tho final net was provided by the Bartletts, who play a variety of musical instruments skilfully. The instruments rango from tin whistles and concertinas to cowbells and tuiieii motor horns. A vein of broad comedy brightens the turn. Tho company will appear at tho Opera House for tho ensuing eight nights.